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Lost your contacts on your phone? Here's how to get them back

As high-tech and advanced as all our modern mobile devices are, there's no way of getting around basic user errors. Luckily, the makers of your mobile devices kept such errors in mind. That is why we were eager to respond to Lynne's question about how to restore a deleted contact on your mobile device.

"I must have ‘FAT’ fingers, as I accidentally deleted information in my contacts. I had typed in a couple of other contact phone numbers. But guess I accidentally deleted these. I would [like] to get this information back. I am guessing I am asking for a miracle." — Lynne P. of Lakewood Ranch, Florida

There are several options or methods to restore your contact information on an iPhone or Android, so it is easy to find a solution that should work for you.

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Luckily, the makers of iPhones and Android phones understood that mistakes happen and contacts can be erased by accident. Below are ways to restore your contacts on an iPhone or Android phone:

There are two resources for iPhone owners in order to restore contacts: via iCloud or iTunes Backup. Before attempting to restore your contacts, back up your iPhone so you have recourse if you lose data.

Restore contacts with iCloud:

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Restore contacts with iTunes:

If you have not enabled iCloud to back up your contacts, you may be able to restore contacts with iTunes.

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There are two resources Android users can use to restore contacts: Google Contacts or Device settings. Before attempting to restore your contacts, back up your Android so you have recourse if you lose data.

Restore contacts with Google Contacts:

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.

Restore contacts with Device Settings:

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.

Please note: Only contacts that aren't already on your phone will be restored.

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While it is ideal if you never make a mistake while using your mobile devices, accidents do happen and contacts do get deleted accidentally. That’s why the makers of iPhones and Android devices have multiple ways you can restore contacts on your phone. Following these easy steps outlined above gives you the ability to rectify that situation quickly. It is best to make sure that your mobile devices are being backed up either to the cloud or physically to a computer or hard drive backup so that there is a source from which to restore your contacts. Additionally, should anything go awry when you're doing the restoration process, you have the ability to recover lost data. Accidents happen, but practicing safe data hygiene prevents them from becoming a lost cause or needing a miracle.

Have you ever accidentally deleted a contact on your mobile device? How did you recover that contact information? Are your contacts backed up anywhere? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

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